"There is a virulent form of white supremacy that is targeting a number of groups, obviously immigrants among them," said Jacqueline Hidalgo, associate professor of Latina/o studies and religion at Williams College in Williamstown, Massachusetts, and ACHTUS president-elect.
The theologians also express solidarity with "black and brown folk, immigrants, Muslims, Jews, LGBTQ and any other group persecuted and regarded as 'less than' by the myth of white supremacy in all its expressions," according to the statement.
"This statement makes clear who we stand with and what we stand for," Hidalgo said.
The groups' members commit to "being prophetic voices for justice and peace by condemning violence, denouncing the sins of hatred and retrieving the redemptive nature of the cross as a way toward a common good," according to the statement.
They will also join actions of resistance and solidarity, practice self-care and construct theology "deeply grounded on the Incarnate love of God."
Organizers hope the statement is taken into classrooms and disseminated widely, including in parishes, dioceses and on social media.
"We want this to get into the hands of the people in the pews," said Shawnee Daniels-Sykes, a School Sister of Notre Dame, secretary of the Black Catholic Theological Symposium and associate professor of theology at Mount Mary University in Milwaukee.
She has been talking about contemporary examples of racism and other hate-based violence in classes already this semester. "If we don't have healthy conversations about what's happening, then we're not doing our job," she said.
DeAnda hopes Catholics see that working together helps not only the cause, but also individuals. "If we reach out beyond ourselves, we can learn from one another in the process," she said. "It's important to join in action, but also in just listening, being present and supporting one another."
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